I have been assigned a concept map for my pathophysiology class. I have to link three diseases - diabetes mellitus type II, cor pulmonale, and pneumonia. I have a basic understanding that pneumonia can lead to acidosis due to restricted breathing which can cause vasoconstriction and therefore cor pulmonale. I am really stuck with tying it into DM type II. If anyone can give my any ideas on where to start or how these diseases link, it would be greatly appreciated. Websites, experience, personal knowledge, books... anything! Thank you in advance.
Spoiled1, MSN, RN 463 Posts Specializes in Step-down ICU. Mar 2, 2009 Not sure if this will be of any help to you, but I would try to relate Cor Pulmonale and DM based on the theory that DM damages the blood vessels/arteries over time (think about Macrovascular damage). I am not 100% sure about this, but I am thinking damage from the arteries,athlerscleorosis, metabolic syndome and HTN could cause this. Not sure if the client is overweight, but obesity causes DM, many of which have poor diets, high cholesterol, etc. That increases the risk of plaque build up (athlerscleoris), narrows the arteries, which increase blood pressure, increased blood pressure causes the heart to have to work harder sometimes leading to cardiomyopathy which eventually ends up in heart failure. I have never heard of Cor Pulmonale, but after reading that its a condition of the heart, then this is my best guess. I apologize if it makes no sense!
